Elvis Presley's Favorite Pound Cake

Servings: 10-12Comments: For all of you Elvis Presley fans and Pound Cake fans:

This is the best pound cake we have ever tasted. It's tender appeal is owed in part to cake flour and cream, and in part to beating the batter an extra 5 minutes.

A Note From Diana's Desserts I thought that marinated peaches would be so tasty served alongside or on top of each slice of this pound cake. You can serve the cake plain (maybe with a little dusting of confectioners' sugar), or serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream and a few spoonfuls of the marinated peaches.........Diana

Instructions: Put oven rack in middle position, but DO NOT preheat oven.

Generously butter pan and dust with flour, knocking out excess flour.

Sift together sifted flour (3 cups) and salt into a bowl. Repeat sifting into another bowl (flour will have been sifted 3 times total).

Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes in a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment or 6 to 8 minutes with a handheld mixer. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low and add half of flour, then all of cream, then remaining flour, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down side of bowl, then beat at medium-high speed 5 minutes. Batter will become creamier and satiny.

Spoon batter into pan and rap pan against work surface once or twice to eliminate air bubbles. Place pan in (cold) oven and turn oven temperature to 350°F (180°C). Bake until golden and a wooden pick or skewer inserted in middle of cake comes out with a few crumbs adhering to it, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Cool cake in pan on a rack for 30 minutes. Run a thin knife around inner and outer edges of cake, then invert rack over pan and invert cake onto rack to cool completely. Once cake has cooled completely, transfer to a serving plate or cake stand. If desired, when ready to serve, dust top of cake with confectioners' sugar or serve with a dollop of whipped cream or non-dairy whipped topping and Marinated Peaches on the side or pass peaches around for guests to serve themselves.

Storing Cake: Cake keeps, covered well with plastic wrap or in an airtight container, at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Instructions: In a large bowl, combine the peach slices with the 1 cup of sugar, the peach liqueur (or brandy), and the rum. Stir to mix. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (This can be done a day ahead.)